It is thought that one in three pregnancies miscarries; some women do not even realize they are pregnant. The causes of miscarriage include nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalance, infection, anatomical problems of the uterus and cervix, exposure to harmful substances, maternal age and autoimmune or chromosomal fetal disorders. Symptoms of a threatened miscarriage are backache, abdominal cramping, and pain resembling period pains, spotting or bleeding.

Birth is an experience that can transform you. The majority of the time every single step in the creation of your baby proceeds perfectly. Blending the mother and father's genes, placental exchange of nutrients, hormonal responses that start labour (labor), the release of endorphins...

Acupuncture treatments preformed at week 37, 38, 39 and 40 weeks, have been studied and the research indicates that the baby becomes engaged in an anterior position, the cervix softens and dilates, and women go into labour within 4 days of their due date. These acupuncture treats are a gentle yet effective way of preparing your body for labour, but does not force the baby to come out if they are not ready too.

From the moment of conception, you and your baby need a well-balanced diet, including 13 essential vitamins, both the fat-soluble and water-soluble types. Here's a rundown on those important vitamins and their best dietary sources.

If you are thinking about becoming pregnant you should have already started an exercise regime, or should be starting one now! Due to the many physical and hormonal changes that occur throughout the pregnancy it is not the time to initiate an exercise program.

Up to 80% of pregnant women suffer from heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest and throat. Greater elasticity of the abdominal muscles can cause the valve at the entrance of the stomach to remain slightly open instead of closing slightly so that stomach fluids return up the esophagus. Some symptoms of heartburn are sensations of burning, or acid, in the throat, nausea, and/or unpleasant taste in the mouth

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a current topic of environmental and health concern. BPA is a chemical used to improve the durability of materials without adding weight. It directly affects consumers as it is found in polycarbonate plastics, resins lining food cans and water bottles, dental composites, and on thermal paper receipts (frequently used in point-of-sale machines).
The health concern with BPA is that it is a xenoestrogen and therefore acts as a hormone in our bodies and disrupts hormonal function including the hormone-sensitive developing brain.
Studies with mice have shown that the mother’s exposure to BPA during pregnancy causes critical changes in brain development, and a recent study published in a publication of Pediatrics suggested that human brains were similarly affected. The study followed women from the second trimester of pregnancy, measuring blood and urine BPA levels during the pregnancy. The children were followed and assessed from infancy onward until the age of eight or nine. Behavioural issues like difficulty sitting still, needing to be redirected frequently, and talking about being sad or depressed were associated with higher urinary BPA concentrations in the mothers during pregnancy. Interestingly, it was only the behavioural and emotional regulation of girls that seemed to be affected.
Minimizing exposure to BPA and other xenoestrogens is important at all times, but increased awareness is necessary during pregnancy. Options for avoiding BPA include:
Use canned foods from BPA-free cans (e.g. Eden Organic, Vital Choice, Eco Fish, Wild Planet, Native Forest)
Use stainless steel or glass water bottles
Avoid storing your receipts with money (receipts with BPA can transfer the resin to your cash, resulting in excess skin contact with BPA)
Ask your dentist about the ingredients used in dental materials (consider a biological dentist); (Dental work is not recommended during pregnancy)
Support liver detoxification of hormones using supplements like Calcium-d-Glucarate and Indole- 3-Carbinol and consuming plenty of kale, dandelion greens, watercress, and steamed broccoli
Consume ground flaxseed daily (ground flaxseed acts as a hormone-sponge, holding onto xenoestrogens in the intestine, ensuring excretion by the bowels)
An understanding of BPA sources as well as making small lifestyle changes during pregnancy will help to support the development of a healthy and happy baby.
- by Dr. Schmidt-White
http://www.yinstill.com/treatment/pregnancy-care

It is fairly common during pregnancy to experience headaches. This is true regardless of whether or not you were prone to headaches before you fell pregnant. Your hormone levels are flooding, your blood flow is being shunted from its regular course to the developing contents of your uterus, and your overall blood volume is increasing. This can produce a significant change in the circulation of the fluids and the energies of your body. And as the TCM saying goes, “Where there is pain; there is no circulation. Where there is circulation, there is no pain”.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine examined whether acupuncture could safely help pregnant women who were suffering from tension headaches. They divided 43 women who were being conventionally treated with lifestyle modifications and stretching into 2 different groups. One group received the routine care only, and the other group received routine care plus acupuncture treatments.
The researchers assessed the severity and disability caused by each woman’s pain (including its affects on mood, sleep, and work) using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The researchers measured the differences in scores between each woman’s first visit and her last interview after 8 weeks of treatment. They then compared the scores of the 2 treatment groups.
The women who received acupuncture demonstrated statistically significant improvements in their pain. They also reported using less medication and had a greater improvement in mood and sleep when compared to the control group. And importantly, there were no reports of any important adverse effects related to either the acupuncture treatment or to the outcome of the pregnancy.
This prospective, randomized, controlled study suggests that acupuncture safely alleviates tension-type headaches during pregnancy. So, if resting and a cold compress aren’t helping to ease your pain, there is another option available which can reduce or eliminate your need for pain killers (which are best avoided if possible during pregnancy). I have worked with many women who have indeed found benefit by incorporating acupuncture into their pre-natal care plan.
By: Dr. Erin Flynn
http://www.yinstill.com/treatment/pregnancy-care